This week in Christian history: Last battle of First Crusade, Mars Hill removed from Acts 29

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, August 06, 2023

Mars Hill removed from Acts 29 network – Aug. 8, 2014

Mars Hill Pastor Mark Driscoll discusses the prosperity gospel in a sermon on Dec. 30, 2013. | Mars Hill Church

This week marks the anniversary of when the Acts 29 Network, a prominent church-planting evangelical organization, removed Mars Hill Church and its then-leader Mark Driscoll from membership.

Although Driscoll had helped found Acts 29 years earlier, the network board announced that he was removed from the organization due to complaints from other members about his leadership style.

“It is our conviction that the nature of the accusations against Mark, most of which have been confirmed by him, make it untenable and unhelpful to keep Mark and Mars Hill in our network,” stated the board in a public message at the time.

“In taking this action, our prayer is that it will encourage the leadership of Mars Hill to respond in a distinctive and godly manner so that the name of Christ will not continue to be dishonored.”

A couple of months later, Driscoll resigned as lead pastor of Mars Hill. By the end of the year, the multisite Mars Hill officially disband into separate churches.